Departments and Services

Pain and Palliative Care

Today, palliative care doesn't necessarily mean end-of-life care, but it does mean that help is on the way, no matter what a patient's prognosis is. Palliative care as a specialty originated in the hospice setting, where it got its end-of-life connotation. Because it was so successful in hospices, medical professionals felt that the benefits of palliative care should be extended to patients much earlier, perhaps at the time of diagnosis. Today's broadly inclusive palliative care is defined as medical treatment that focuses on the relief of distress for patients and their families.

The Pain and Palliative Care department at Queen's is ready to deal with the impact any serious or chronic illness has on physical, emotional, social or spiritual health. Assessments are made not only for pain, but for fatigue, anxiety, shortness of breath, sleep deprivation, constipation, confusion and other symptoms. They also help with the practical, like how to pay for medications, if that is what is causing distress, or even conflict resolution. The pain care part of the department continues to specialize in ameliorating acute pain and providing pain consultations for any Queen's inpatients.